Click to jump to specific topics: Applique and/or Color - Paper Piecing (with some applique) and Piecing - Lectures - How Much? - Equipment Requirements - Becky's Contact Info - Becky's Bio - Becky's Schedule
Click the link for the class supply list to learn even more about a specific class.
1-day (6 hour) classes focus on hand applique techniques (unless otherwise noted).
2-day classes combine color and applique techniques.
I encourage classes that are at least 2 days long!
2-day classes offer a more relaxed learning environment and more opportunity to play with color and to practice new skills.
Good technique is important! Time in class will be spent learning to perfect the needleturn applique techniques found in your class block. You will learn easy template making, how to make and use a placement for appliqué, and, most importantly, the invisible appliqué stitch.
I use a camera and digital projector which projects what my hands are doing on a screen or wall. You will be able to see, in detail, what I'm
You will have fun and play with color! What I stress is that there is no one, right answer to any color question, but there are tips and tricks that can make working with color a lot easier. I will share my approach to coloring a quilt and then you will get busy on your own block. It takes longer to successfully color a block than you might think.
You will have the best of both worlds — playing with color and perfecting your applique techniques! You'll have more time to absorb the new techniques that you learn in class.
On the first day you will learn foundation paper piecing. Our foundation papers are a little bit different and we think you will appreciate that difference. You'll make the foundation pieced arcs and learn how to sew those curved units together into a block.
The second day will be spent perfecting your invisible applique stitch while you learn how to handle a variety of needleturn applique techniques.
When scheduled as a 3-day or longer class, more time can spent on color selection, piecing more blocks, and on perfecting your hand applique techniques in class.
All of the needle-turn appliqué techniques taught in my applique classes can be found in our book The New Appliqué Sampler or in our DVD, Learn to Applique the Piece O' Cake Way.
Supply lists are listed with each class - click the designated link.
If you are a student looking for supplies for class, you will find them in the Notions area of our web site.
I wanted to thank you for the excellent classes I took in Knoxville. It was as if the light bulb went on and things started to click on Friday. And they say you can't teach old dogs new tricks! There is no way to tell you how delighted I am being able to make a point and not a blunt! Yippee!! — RuthAnn G.
I was at the Vermont quilt festival and heard your lecture. I loved it!! When I looked at the competition quilts the next day, I did it with a new approach. Your lecture really clarified why I look at some quilts and am "done" in seconds, vs. other quilts where you can spend quite some time looking at them.
I needed some inspiration to finish my (3 month old) baby's quilt. I did a simple 9 patch with a large border and scalloped edge. I purposely left the large border for "something" but had not figured out what!. Thank you for the inspiration!! — Julie M.
Classes are suitable for all skill levels unless otherwise noted.
You will love learning the fine art of hand applique in this class for all quilters. This quilt is from a book that will be available in Spring 2009.
Block #1 (top left), Block #6 (top, right)
Block #8 (bottom, left), Block #12 (bottom, right)
The program chair or event coordinator will choose one of the blocks above for a 1-day class or two patterns for a 2-day class. Each 10-inch block has a number of techniques that students always want to learn in class. I will provide the appropriate pattern(s) for each student in class.
Click here for the My Whimsical Quilt Garden supply list.
Explore a variety of design options as you learn how to improvise within a pattern to create a quilt with a happy and contemporary attitude.
Block #4 (24 x 24-inch block) from our new book, Applique Outside the Lines
The backgrounds in this quilt are pieced from freely-cut pieces and the applique is casually placed.
A 2-day class will spend the first day on color, design, and background construction. The second day will be spent on needleturn appliqué techniques. 1-day classes will focus on applique technique only.
Click here for the Passion Flowers supply list.
Color, cut, sew, and improvise as you sew your own interpretation of the ground as seen from an airplane!
The background in this quilt is composed of freely-cut pieces, sewn together into a patchwork field. The applique pieces are cut without a pattern and placed by eye on the background. Your confidence will grow as you master this approach to quiltmaking.
A 2-day class will be spent on color, design, background construction, and applique techniques.
Click here for the The Ground supply list.
Lessons In Improvisational Art Quilting. Color, cut, sew, and improvise as you grow your own cubist garden!
The backgrounds in this quilt are randomly pieced from freely-cut pieces. The applique is cut without a pattern and casually placed. As your quilt blossoms on the wall, your confidence will grow.
Click here for the Picasso's Garden supply list.
Lovely blocks from an old-fashioned garden are yours, fresh for the picking!
Block 8 (left) -OR- Block 10 (right)
The program chair or event coordinator will choose either Block 8 or Block 10 for the class to work on.
I will provide a pattern for the 14 x 14-inch block chosen for class. Students who want to make the whole quilt will need to purchase the book, Aunt Millie's Garden
Click here for the Aunt Millie's Garden supply list.
You will love learning the fine art of hand applique in this class for all quilters.
Dutch Tulip Wreath (10 x 10-inch blocks)
Sewing Sunny Flowers (7 x 8-inch blocks)
The program chair or event coordinator will choose one of the two quilts above for the class. I will provide the appropriate pattern for each student in class.
Click here for the Dutch Tulip Wreath supply list.
Click here for the Sewing Sunny Flowers supply list.
Conquer needle-turned curved edges the Piece O' Cake way!
Lorna's Vine (71 x 71-inch quilt)
I will provide the pattern for the smaller version of Lorna's Vine shown above. Students who want to make the larger quilt (shown here) will need to purchase the book, Amish-Inspired Quilts, for those yardage and cutting instructions.
Click here for the Lorna's Vine supply list.
Petal Twirl (left) -OR- Vase of Sunflowers (right)
The program chair or event coordinator will choose one 8 x 8-inch block for a 1-day class or two blocks for a 2-day class. Recommended blocks are shown above, but any block from the book can be taught. Be sure to read the class description carefully.
I will provide you with the pattern(s) you’ll use in class. Students who want to make the whole quilt or who are taking this as a 3-day or longer class will need to purchase the book, Applique Delights.
Click here for the Celebrate A Spectacular Spring supply list.
Reverse applique is lots of fun especially in this cute little 36 x 48-inch quilt. The blocks that make up the quilt (and that are referred to in the supply list) are shown below.
'Sticks' block - 'Pointy' block - 'Window' block
Click here for the Put It In Reverse supply list.
Little bitty appliqué isn’t scary once you know the secrets! I will provide a pattern for this quilt. Although this quilt is not shown in it, the 5 x 5-inch blocks are from our book, Applique Delights.
Click here for the Little Bitty Eensy Teensy supply list.
Tropical Blossoms (8 x 8-inch blocks)
This quilt was featured in an issue of American Patchwork and Quilting and is not in any of our books. I will provide a pattern for each student.
Click here for the Simply Color supply list.
I will provide a pattern and the foundation papers to make one pieced block. I will also provide a pattern for a small sample block with the flower and leaf shapes similar to those in the quilt. Students who want to make the whole quilt (shown above) will need to purchase the book, Quilts with a Spin.
Click here for the Everyday Best supply list.
I will provide a pattern and the foundation papers for a smaller, 30 x 30-inch one-block version of this quilt (shown below).
The yardage listed in the supply list is for this smaller quilt. You may prefer to work on the larger, 9-block Whirlygig quilt from the book. If that is the case, follow the yardage requirements in the book rather than those in the supply list.
Click here for the Whirlygig supply list.
Learn everything You Need To Know About 8-Point Stars
Piece this classic diamond star block on your sewing machine. Learn how to fussy-cut precise diamonds to make dazzling stars, how to sew set-in points, and how to match the seams at the center of the star.
True Blue is a 45 x 57-inch quilt
Pattern provided. A sewing machine is required.
Click here for the True Blue supply list.
Triangle-squares and 9-patches combine with other elements in this lovely traditional quilt. The blocks are 15” x 15" finished size.
Pattern provided. A sewing machine is required. Pattern provided. A sewing machine is required.
Goose in the Pond 57 x 73 1/2-inch quilt.
Click here for the Goose in the Pond supply list.
We walk around with our eyes open - but how much do we really see? It's amazing what you can learn about color just by paying attention!
I'll share with you what I've figured out about color over the years and how I use what I've learned in my quilts.
You’ve made a beautiful top, but how do you decide how to quilt it? I’ll share with you what I have learned (both the good and the bad!) from quilting my own quilts over the last 24 years.
I'll show you a sampling of my quilts, from my very humble beginnings as a quilt maker through my most current work, giving tips along the way. If I can do it, anyone can!
